ASGA's Treasurer and Victorian Chair, Mick Harrold, has issued his take on the Victorian lockdown, which he believes was predictable and avoidable. Mick notes that his opinions apply to his business, Visual Exposure, and that individual members should do their own research as to how restrictions may apply to them.
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| Deserted - Melbourne's marvellous CBD is once again locked down, along with the rest of the state. |
Harrold says: "I think the whole business sector is tired of the excuses. Unfortunately, it seems that until the Federal Government sets up a proper quarantine system, we will continue to have these problems. Contact tracing and the slow vaccine rollout are other issues that need looking into.
The following advice comes with the caveat that: this is advice only and you must always do your own research and understand how it applies to your unique business.
Construction is an Authorised industry.
https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/authorised-provider-and-authorised-worker-list
The only caveat on that seems to be work on occupied buildings. This doesn't include businesses that are allowed to be open. So essentially, only residential homes are not allowed (unless it is essential). This means on any unoccupied site or businesses permitted to be open, any construction is OK. Not just essential construction either. All construction. Sign installation falls under the construction banner, so we are of the opinion that we can install signs. The VBA has confirmed this.
But what about fabrication/printing? Well it gets a bit murkier here and you will need to keep your own advice. This technically falls under Manufacturing. They make allowance for manufacturing workers in the documentation, but manufacturing businesses are not on the Authorised Providers list. So if we are following the word of the law, we can assume manufacturing is allowed if you are manufacturing essential items.
However, in the past, and we assume this still applies, you are allowed to produce items in support of the construction industry, e.g. if you are building a pylon sign that will be installed on site next week. If you stop work on it, install can't proceed, so this work is allowed. Given that all construction is allowed this time, we can assume that you can produce any sign that will be installed. This gives you a fairly wide scope to work with. Again I say keep your own advice here. We can get no definitive answer from government on this and may never get one. If you are going to do it, make sure you have your arguments lined up and if you think it too grey, then don't do it.
What about support and grants for those of us affected? Nothing has been confirmed on this front yet, but they are saying it will come. However, I expect that this will not be available to us. Last time it was restricted to businesses that had to completely shut down and as discussed above, that is not us. So don't expect any handouts.
Editor's note
This is Victoria's third lockdown and the state's small businesses have suffered more than any other state or territory. Clarity has been in short supply and Mick Harrold's take is to be commended for cutting through the murk.
Several businesses have questioned the effectiveness of lockdowns -vs - the huge economic cost of even a day's sanctions. They cite examples of other states such as NSW taking differing approaches.
Since Mick's article, the Victorian government has announced a $250 million business relief package, welcome but this does little to help people whose income has stopped dead - with no JobKeeper to act as a buffer. Casual workers are particularly hard hit - they may be able to claim JobSeeker but some are even dipping into superannuation to stay afloat. The Age newspaper reported on Ed Westlake, whose livlihood depends on events and functions. He has taken $10,000 from his super to survive, but has little or no savings left. He told the reporter:
“I’m left at a point in time where I’m now broke,” said Mr Westlake, who records his casual shifts with Centrelink and may possibly receive a small amount of the JobSeeker payment. “Trying to buy food is impossible.”
Hospitality has again be severely damaged, with one restaurateur, Chris Lucas, CEO behind restaurants such as Chin Chin, slamming the state government, asking why other states were able to cordon off outbreaks without going into a sweeping lockdown, calling it 'almost childish.'
It certainly warrants a fresh look in Victoria and maybe at a Federal level too, putting politics aside for the greater good, and blokes like Ed Westlake.
